Cal Lepore
Cal Lepore | |
---|---|
Born | Leonard Charles Lepore April 15, 1919 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Died | December 7, 2002 | (aged 83)
Nationality | American |
Occupation | American football official |
Employer(s) | American Football League (1966–1969) National Football League (1970–1980) |
Leonard Charles "Cal" Lepore (April 15, 1919 – December 7, 2002)
Lepore is credited with promulgating the use of instant replay[4] as an officiating tool, as well as urging the use of coaches' challenges in professional football. The NFL adopted nearly all of the components of the Replay Rule he authored and first administered in mid-1980s in the USFL. Referee Magazine has considered him one of the most influential officials in the history of sports.[5] Lepore was also the referee of the "Miracle at the Meadowlands" on November 19, 1978.
Lepore was born in Chicago and attended Harper High School there. He then played professional baseball;[6] his 1940 draft registration card listed his employer as the Chicago White Sox,[2] and Baseball-Reference.com has record of him playing for the minor league Jonesboro White Sox during the 1941 season as a second baseman.[7] Lepore served in the United States Army during World War II.[8] He was married and was survived by his wife and three children.[8][3]
See also
References
- ^ "Social Security Death Index". Social Security Administration. Retrieved November 1, 2020 – via fold3.com.
- ^ a b "Draft Registration Card". Selective Service System. October 1940. Retrieved November 1, 2020 – via fold3.com.
- ^ a b "Cal Lepore". Legacy.com. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
- ^ "1985 Interview with USFL Supervisor of Officials Cal Lepore". YouTube. USFL Forever. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
- ^ "Referee". Referee. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
- ^ Straub, Dave (June 18, 1987). "Longtime sports fan now gets his football instantly". Southtown Star. Tinley Park, Illinois. p. 41. Retrieved November 1, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Leonard Lepore". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- ^ a b "Obituary". Southtown Star. Tinley Park, Illinois. December 12, 2002. p. 22. Retrieved November 1, 2020 – via newspapers.com.